Mid Columbia Community Choir will perform its annual Christmas Cantata entitled, "The Heart of Christmas," Dec. 8-10.
The community is invited to come and enjoy the sounds of Christmas as the 70 voice choir joins together in three benefit concerts.
The Dec. 8 concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Riverside Community Church at 4th & State Street, Hood River, Oregon.
The Dec. 9 concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Parkdale Community Church at 4910 Baseline Drive, Parkdale.
At both Oregon concerts, a freewill offering will benefit the FISH Food Bank located in Hood River.
On Dec. 10, the choir will perform at 4 p.m. in the Grace Baptist Church located at 1280 W. Jewett, White Salmon, and a benefit offering will be received for the Pastoral Ministerial Associations Emergency Fund.
Perry Cole returns this year to direct the choir with Lana Kent accompanying on the piano. Several soloists from the choir have been chosen and include Kathy Black, Dee Cole, Anita Decker, Monika Drury, Dan Nielsen, David Sauter and Tim Wilson. Dennis Griffith, a choir member for the last three years, will provide the narration.
A children's choir is also included in this year's cantata singing, "Born In-a Bethlehem." The children will join with the choir and congregation in singing time honored Christmas carols.
"The choir has put a lot of work into this year's performance and I know that those who attend will truly enjoy the music of the cantata," said Cole. "The Heart of Christmas is truly an exceptional piece with a full range of music from Gospel to Contemporary to time honored Christmas carols, blended with original pieces by Mike Speck, composer."
Two additional classical pieces by American composer, Randall Thompson entitled, "Choose Something Like a Star" and "Alleluia," will round off this year's performance.
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